Coronavirus diagnosis: Cases should halve in a week

According to the forecast, the 7-day infection rate should drop from about 1,260 to currently 740 by Wednesday next week – with a potential variability range of 590 to 980. According to an estimate, this corresponds to about 9,500 new infections per day – with a variability range of 7 , 622 to 12,547.

Although the development of new infections continues to decline in all age groups, the peak in older populations occurred with a delay of about 2 weeks compared to the rest of the population.

Slower decline in hospital numbers

This is also a reason for the slow decline in hospital occupancy rates. On Wednesday, 226 coronavirus patients were reported in intensive care units and 2,873 in regular wards. For the next week, the estimates range from 161 to 209 coronavirus patients with a point estimate of 183. – Threatened coronavirus cases needing inpatient care. The point estimate is 2,106.

Within two weeks after Easter, on Wednesday, April 20, according to forecasts, there should be 109 to 165 patients in intensive care, with a point estimate of 134, and 1,124 to 1,794 in regular wards. The point estimate here is 1420.

Wednesday with the lowest number of new infections since mid-January

It was also noted that the decline in testing did not result in a significant increase in the positivity rate in any federal state, so it can be ruled out that the decline in testing is the cause of the current decline in reported cases. The lowest rate is expected in Tyrol (360-590) and the highest in Vienna (770-1300). All forecasts were made based on data as of April 5th.

The 21,076 new infections in Austria reported by the responsible ministries on Wednesday means the lowest number on this day of the week since January 12 (17,006). However, the number of tests has also dropped dramatically: in the past 24 hours, there have been 361,092 rapid PCR and antigen tests, compared to 810,313 last week.

EMA: A fourth vaccination against CoV is not currently necessary

The European Union Medicines Agency (EMA) does not currently consider a fourth vaccination against coronavirus necessary for everyone. The EMA announced on Wednesday in Amsterdam in cooperation with the European Union Health Authority (ECDC) that it is too early to make a general recommendation. However, a fourth dose could make sense for people 80 or older given the higher risk of severe coronavirus disease in this age group.

“For adults aged 60 and over with a normal immune system, there is currently no conclusive evidence that vaccination protection against serious diseases is diminishing and that the fourth dose has any value added,” the authorities said. But there are also no safety concerns about the second booster vaccination.